A's activate Reddick, place Blanks on DL

NEW YORK -- Right fielder Josh Reddick was reinstated from the disabled list and immediately inserted into the A's starting lineup against the Mets on Tuesday.

That was the good news. Reddick, though, took the roster spot of Kyle Blanks, who was forced to the DL with a left calf strain.

The severity of Blanks' injury is seemingly mild, with manager Bob Melvin hoping the first baseman only needs the minimum 15 days to get back to full health.

Had Blanks made it to New York injury-free, the A's appeared in position to option Eric Sogard to Triple-A Sacramento. Sogard, batting just .196 on the season, including .136 over his last 12 games, was held out of the lineup against former teammate Bartolo Colon on Tuesday, with Alberto Callaspo getting the nod at second base against the righty instead.

Reddick, initially placed on the DL on June 3 with a hyperextended right knee, went 7-for-16 with three doubles during a four-game rehab stint with Sacramento, which included a four-hit game on Saturday.

"He took it very seriously what we said to him about not just getting your at-bats and getting your work in and expecting to get called back up, but going down and performing," said Melvin. "He went down and performed beautifully. His knee was tested in a number of ways. It feels great. He swung the bat well, so probably best served to get him right back in the lineup."

"I got to test it every way possible," said Reddick. "First night, went down in the corner and got to plant and throw. The last day, I was trying to score from second and got held up at the last minute and had to put the brakes on, but no pain in the knee. I feel great."

The outfielder said he's undecided whether he'll keep "Careless Whisper" as his walk-up song upon his return to Oakland next week.

Jane Lee is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Major Lee-ague, and follow her on Twitter @JaneMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.